Lash adjuster

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lash adjuster including a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for situating a ball near the base of the lash adjuster housing. The chamber has both an external and internal shoulder for engaging a plunger spring and a ball spring, respectively. The chamber may further define at least one aperture near its apex and at least one aperture near its base to facilitate oil flow through the lash adjuster.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A lash adjuster, comprising:
 a housing having a base which defines an aperture therein, 
 a plunger situated within said housing, 
 a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for retaining a ball near the base of the housing, the chamber of said ball retainer having an external shoulder near its apex for engaging said plunger via a plunger spring, wherein the external shoulder is defined by an annular ledge, and including an internal shoulder for engaging a ball spring which situates the ball within the chamber and near the aperture formed in the base of said housing, and 
 said chamber further defining at least one aperture near its base and an additional aperture formed near its apex, wherein 
 the external shoulder is closer to the apex of the chamber than the at least one aperture near the base of the chamber, 
 wherein the housing and the ball retainer at least partially define an annular cavity disposed between the housing and the ball retainer, and wherein the at least one aperture provides oil flow between the aperture formed in the base of said housing and the annular cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The lash adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a seat about the aperture such that when the ball engages the aperture, a seal is created therebetween. 
     
     
       3. The lash adjuster of  claim 1  wherein the ball retainer is composed of machined metal. 
     
     
       4. The lash adjuster of  claim 1  wherein the chamber of said housing further comprises a cavity holding oil. 
     
     
       5. A lash adjuster comprising:
 a housing having a base which defines an aperture therein, 
 a plunger situated within said housing, and 
 a generally conical ball retainer situated near the base of the housing, said ball retainer having an external shoulder near its apex for engaging said plunger via a plunger spring, wherein the external shoulder is defined by an annular ledge, and further including an aperture defined near its base, wherein 
 the external shoulder is closer to the apex of the ball retainer than the aperture near the base of the ball retainer, 
 wherein the housing and the ball retainer at least partially define an annular cavity disposed between the housing and the ball retainer, and wherein the aperture provides oil flow between the aperture defined in the base of said housing and the annular cavity. 
 
     
     
       6. The lash adjuster of  claim 5 , wherein the housing further comprises a seat about the aperture such that when the ball engages the aperture, a seal is created therebetween. 
     
     
       7. The lash adjuster of  claim 5  wherein the ball retainer is composed of machined metal. 
     
     
       8. The lash adjuster of  claim 5  wherein the chamber of said housing further comprises a cavity holding oil. 
     
     
       9. The lash adjuster of  claim 5 , wherein no apertures are defined near the apex of the ball retainer. 
     
     
       10. A ball retainer for use in a lash adjuster including a housing having a base which forms an aperture therein and a plunger situated within said housing, said ball retainer comprising:
 a generally conical chamber for retaining a ball near the aperture defined in the base of the lash adjuster, the chamber further including at least one aperture near its base, 
 a shoulder externally situated near the apex of the chamber for engaging said plunger via a plunger spring, wherein the externally situated shoulder is defined by an annular ledge, and 
 a shoulder internally engaging a ball spring for situating said ball near the aperture defined in the base of said housing, wherein 
 the externally situated shoulder is closer to the apex of the chamber than the base of the housing when the ball retainer is in use with the lash adjuster, 
 wherein the housing and the chamber at least partially define an annular cavity disposed between the housing and the chamber, and wherein the at least one aperture provides oil flow between the aperture formed in the base of said housing and the annular cavity. 
 
     
     
       11. A lash adjuster, comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity for holding oil therein, said housing having a base which defines an aperture therein and having an internal sidewall for engaging a plunger, 
 the plunger situated within said housing and having an external sidewall for engaging, 
 a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for retaining a ball near the base of the housing, the chamber of said ball retainer having an external shoulder near its apex for activating said plunger via a plunger spring, wherein the external shoulder is defined by an annular ledge, and including an internal shoulder for engaging a ball spring which situates the ball within the chamber and near the aperture formed in the base of said housing, and 
 wherein when said plunger is engaged, the ball is situated such that it seals the aperture in the housing to prohibit oil flow therefrom but allows oil to flow from the housing via the engagement between the plunger and the housing and wherein when said plunger is disengaged, the ball is situated such that the aperture is opened to allow oil flow therethrough, said chamber further defining at least one aperture near its base to facilitate oil flow therethrough and an additional aperture formed near its apex to facilitate oil flow therethrough, and 
 the external shoulder is closer to the apex of the chamber than the at least one aperture near the base of the chamber, 
 wherein the cavity is disposed between the housing and the ball retainer, and wherein the at least one aperture provides oil flow between the aperture formed in the base of said housing and the annular cavity.